On Saturday, February 28, 2026, Israel announced that it had carried out strikes against the Iranian capital, Tehran. Shortly after, US President Donald Trump confirmed the direct involvement of the United States in "major combat operations" against Iran. Tehran retaliated by launching missiles towards Israel.
Iranian state television reported three explosions, without specifying their origin, while journalists on the ground confirmed detonations in Tehran and Isfahan. Donald Trump stated that these operations aimed to "destroy" Iranian missile capabilities and "decimate" the navy of the Islamic Republic. He also addressed a message to the Iranian people, stating his desire to "eliminate imminent threats" and assuring them that "the hour of your freedom is at hand".
In retaliation, Iran launched missiles towards Israel, triggering alert sirens in several regions of the country. Israel announced the closure of its airspace and the declaration of a state of emergency. Iran also closed its airspace, with disruptions to telephone communications and an unstable internet connection.
These strikes come in the context of negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program, after discussions in Oman on February 26 and 27. A new meeting was scheduled for March 2, but the military escalation jeopardizes any prospect of dialogue. Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, is expected to visit Israel on Monday, March 2.
The situation remains tense, with risks of regional escalation. The coming hours will be decisive for the future of international relations in the Middle East. Diplomatic efforts seem more compromised than ever by this sudden resumption of hostilities.
